Free flaps in head and neck reconstructive surgery: a review of 77 cases

Abstract

Recent advances in surgical technique and instrumentation have ensured that success rates for microvascular free transfer can now exceed 90%. This paper reviews a prospective study of 77 free flaps performed at the Royal Marsden Hospital under the care of one surgeon (NMB) over a 2‐year period. 76 patients who underwent 77 free flaps were studied. 68 patients had malignant tumours and 8 had benign lesions. The flap success rate was 95% and the mortality rate 0%. The major complication rate was 20% and the most common complication was a salivary fistula (12%). Microvascular free transfer to the head and neck is not associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It offers single stage, reliable, effective reconstruction using a wide variety of donor sites and tissues.

Microsurgical free flap in head and neck reconstruction

“…Previously unreconstructable defects can now be reliably replaced with free flaps to achieve primary wound healing. [4][5][6][7][8] These developments have enabled head and neck surgeons to be more aggressive in tumor resections. This in turn has enabled better local control of disease compared with the era before the routine use of free flaps.…”